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Acceptable level of hum at max volume?

so i am noticing a faint hum when i set my amp to full volume. not sure if it's been there all along but i was tinkering around and noticed it. here is my setup: rega p3-24 w/ttpsu and herbie mat into jolida jd 9 into decware mini torii. if i switch the mini torii to the second input via the switch i get no hum, but when i switch back to the phono i can hear it. mind you this is at FULL VOLUME. my question is, is there an acceptable level of hum at these outrageous volumes. it's not present in the music at normal or even loud listening levels it's just something i noticed while dickering around. i've tried all the usual solutions to eliminating hum like cheater plugs and moving components and swapping cables. i even have a line conditioner. what say you enthusiasts?
roggae
bpoletti
1,552 posts
 
Why are you listening at max volume? Is that the setting you usually use for for listening? If not, how about just checking hum at normal listening levels?
lewm
12,996 posts
 
True hum, by the classical definition, is 60Hz OR 120Hz noise generated by unrectified AC voltage getting in to the signal path or by improper or inadequate grounding. The frequency would depend on the configuration of the rectifiers in your power supply. Since tubes and transistors are capable of amplifying those frequencies with equal efficiency, I see no reason why "hum" would be associated with tube equipment vs solid state. If this is what you are hearing, and if it bothers you, you could ask a technician to improve the rectification in your power supply or check the ground scheme, to reduce the hum. Any experienced tech or DIY guy would have some ideas of what to do. But as to what you are complaining about, I would do nothing.
ths364
181 posts
 
Lewm> Hum coud be present in a tube circuit if tubes are not shielded. Leaving tubes unshielded helps get heat out and is a point of visual appeal for many people, whereas transistors are usually contained in a shielded box, because they aren't usually all that hot (they don't have a heater element like a tube for one thing), and I don't think they have a special visual appeal to a significant portion of the market. I'm not trying to be a wise guy here- I totally agree that if the hum isn't present at normal listening levels why feel the need to do something about it?
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,463 posts
 
It seems to me that the less hum and noise in a system the better. All of that garbage stuff robbs amplifier power, and also reacts/modulates with the signal. In my system there is no hum and only the slightest hiss at absolute full rotation of the volume control. Lesser designed components will permit unwanted signal to enter the chain
sonofjim
557 posts
 
Stringreen,
As I recall, your system is all solid state which is fine. Solid state circuits often are quieter. I've had both tubed and solid state and much prefer the tube sound even if it may not be dead quiet with an ear to the speaker. (who does that anyway?)
It's a matter of choice. LP's often have surface noise to some degree if you listen close enough. CDs are dead quiet. Most of us here still far prefer the LP. I agree with others here that anyone turning the volume to the max or going to other extreme measures to hear noise is focusing on the wrong thing. Play some music and just relax.
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